Scheduling homogeneous and heterogeneous workloads with runtime elasticity in a parallel processing environment

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field generally relates to systems and method for scheduling jobs in high-performance computing systems and, in particular, systems and methods for scheduling homogeneous workloads comprising batch jobs, and heterogeneous workloads comprising batch and dedicated jobs, with run-time elasticity wherein resource requirements for a given job can change during run-time execution of the job.

BACKGROUND

The ability to efficiently schedule jobs in a parallel processing environment is an important aspect of high-performance computing systems. In general, these jobs can include batch jobs and/or dedicated jobs. A batch job is one that does not have a user-specified start time and can be scheduled by a scheduler at some optimal time, depending on the scheduling protocol. A dedicated job is one having a user-requested start time that is fixed and not decided by a scheduler. Thus, unlike batch jobs, dedicated jobs are rigid in their start-times and must be commenced at the user-requested start time.

For homogeneous workloads comprising batch jobs only, the efficiency of a parallel processing computing system depends on how tightly packed the batch jobs can be scheduled so as to maximize system utilization while minimizing job wait times. At a high level, HPC (high performance computing) systems have generally used a queuing model to schedule incoming jobs, wherein most optimizations revolve around how an HPC system is packed and how the queue is managed to maximize system utilization while minimizing job wait times. Much of the complexity involves balancing the expected runtime needs of a given job against the scheduling of future jobs. Unpredictable wait times is a key issue in batch schedulers. For certain workloads, this unpredictability can be tolerated. For other workloads such as real-time workloads, however, better guarantees are required.

For example, for heterogeneous workloads comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs, additional complexity arises because the process of scheduling flexible batch jobs around rigid dedicated jobs is non-trivial. Many scenarios in a parallel processing environment can be envisaged where some users need to run background simulation programs that are not time or deadline critical, while other users may require rigid and fixed time slots to execute jobs such as those for real-time traffic data processing during certain periods of the day/week, real-time geographical, satellite or sensor data processing during certain periods of the month/year. In this case, a single HPC scheduler must be capable of efficiently scheduling a heterogeneous workload of batch and dedicated jobs. State of the art HPC schedulers are designed for handling only batch jobs and are incapable of efficiently handling such heterogeneous workloads through a systematic and optimal methodology.

Furthermore, state of the art HPC schedulers for a parallel processing environment are generally optimized for submit-time elasticity of batch jobs only, where resource needs (e.g., user estimated job execution times) are specified only at submission time. Once batch jobs with user estimated execution times are submitted, they cannot be explicitly altered at runtime. Current HPC scheduling algorithms account for both scheduled termination (kill-by time), and premature termination before the user-estimated end time, but do not account for the inter-play of explicit, on-the-fly extensions or reductions in execution time, between batch and dedicated jobs. In other words, state of the art HPC schedulers are not designed for runtime elasticity of heterogeneous workloads, wherein runtime elasticity allows a user to change the execution time requirements (or other resource requirements) for a given job during execution of the given job. Adding runtime elasticity capability to a scheduling protocol, where jobs can expand and contract in their execution time on-the-fly, leads to even further complexity with regard to implementing an efficient scheduling algorithm to accommodate the runtime elasticity capability.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention generally include systems and method for scheduling jobs in high-performance computing (HPC) systems and, in particular, systems and methods for scheduling homogeneous workloads comprising batch jobs, and heterogeneous workloads comprising batch and dedicated jobs, with run-time elasticity wherein resource requirements for a given job can change during run-time execution of the job.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs in a HPC system. The method includes maintaining a batch jobs queue having batch jobs, wherein each batch job in the batch jobs queue has a plurality of parameters associated therewith, the parameters including a num parameter that denotes a number of processors of the HPC system that are required to execute the batch job, a dur parameter that denotes a user-estimated execution time of the batch job, an arr parameter that denotes an arrival time of the batch job, and an scount parameter that specifies a number of scheduling cycles that the batch job was skipped and not scheduled. A scheduling cycle is triggered in response to a triggering event, and a scheduling process is performed to schedule one or more batch jobs in the batch jobs queue for execution by the HPC system. Performing a scheduling process includes determining a number m of available processors in the HPC system, and scheduling a head batch job in the batch jobs queue for execution in the HPC system if the num parameter of the head batch job is less than or equal to m and if the scount parameter of the head batch job is greater than or equal to an scount threshold value. In another embodiment, if the num parameter of the head batch job is less than or equal to m and if the scount parameter of the head batch job is not greater than or equal to the scount threshold value, then one or more other batch jobs in the batch jobs queue are processed to determine a set of one or more batch jobs that can be selected to maximize utilization of the HPC system based on the num parameters of the one or more other batch jobs in the batch jobs queue, and the scount parameter of the head batch job is increased by one.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs in a HPC system. The method includes maintaining a batch jobs queue including batch jobs, wherein each batch job in the batch jobs queue has a plurality of parameters associated therewith, the parameters including a num parameter that denotes a number of processors of the HPC system that are required to execute the batch job, a dur parameter that denotes a user-estimated execution time of the batch job, an arr parameter that denotes an arrival time of the batch job, and an scount parameter that specifies a number of scheduling cycles that the batch job was skipped and not scheduled. The method further includes maintaining a dedicated jobs queue including dedicated jobs, wherein each dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue has a plurality of parameters associated therewith, the parameters including a num parameter that denotes a number of processors of the HPC system that are required to execute the dedicated job, a dur parameter that denotes a user-estimated execution time of the dedicated job, and a start parameter that denotes a user-requested start time of the dedicated job. A scheduling cycle is initiated in response to a triggering event, and a scheduling process is performed to schedule one or more batch jobs in the batch jobs queue and one or more dedicated jobs in the dedicated jobs queue for execution by the HPC system. Performing a scheduling process includes determining a number m of available processors in the HPC system, and if the dedicated jobs queue is empty, then scheduling a head batch job in the batch jobs queue for execution in the HPC system if the num parameter of the head batch job is less than or equal to m and if the scount parameter of the head batch job is greater than or equal to an scount threshold value.

In another embodiment, if there are no available processors in the HPC system or if there are no pending batch jobs in the batch jobs queue, and if the dedicated jobs queue is not empty, then the scheduling process for a heterogeneous workload further includes determining if the start parameter of a head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to a current time, moving the head dedicated job from the dedicated jobs queue to a head position in the batch jobs queue, if the start parameter of a head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to a current time, ending the scheduling cycle if the start parameter of a head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is not less than or equal to a current time.

In yet another embodiment, if the number m of available processors in the HPC system is greater than 0, and if the batch jobs queue and dedicated jobs queue are not empty, and if the scount parameter of the head batch job is NOT greater than or equal to an scount threshold value, then the scheduling process for a heterogeneous workload further includes determining if a start parameter value of a head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to a current time, and moving the head dedicated job from the dedicated jobs queue to a head position in the batch jobs queue, if the start parameter value of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to a current time.

These and other embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs using a standard LOS scheduling protocol.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates a process for a process for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs using a LOS scheduling protocol with run-time elasticity, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs using a Delayed-LOS scheduling protocol with run-time elasticity, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs using a Hybrid-LOS scheduling protocol with run-time elasticity, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram of a system for scheduling homogenous and heterogeneous workloads in an HPC environment, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C</figref> depict a flow diagram of a method for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C</figref> depict a flow diagram of a method for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flow diagram of a method for moving a dedicated job into a head position of a batch jobs queue, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows pseudo code of a process (Algorithm 1) for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> shows pseudo code of a process (Algorithm 2) for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs, according to an embodiment of the invention, as well as pseudo code of a process (Algorithm 3) for moving a dedicated job into a head position of a batch jobs queue, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates a computer system that may be used to implement one or more components/steps of the techniques of the invention, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with regard to systems and methods for scheduling homogeneous workloads comprising batch jobs, and heterogeneous workloads comprising batch and dedicated jobs, with run-time elasticity wherein resource requirements for a given job can change during run-time execution of the job. In general, embodiments of the invention as described herein include job scheduling protocols that are based, in part, on extensions to scheduling protocols as described in the article Shmueli, et al, entitled “<i>Backfilling with Lookahead to Optimize the Packing of Parallel Jobs,” IEEE J. Parallel and Distributed Comput</i>. (September 2005) 1090-1107, which is incorporated herein by reference. Shmueli, et al. disclose a scheduling protocol referred to as LOS (Lookahead Optimizing Scheduler) which is designed to handle homogeneous workloads comprising only batch jobs. Unlike other schedulers that consider queued batch jobs one at a time, the LOS scheduling protocol considers all batch jobs in a queue at a given time wherein the scheduling decisions are based on the entire content of the queue so as to maximize utilization at each scheduling cycle.

In general, LOS uses dynamic programming to find an optimal multi-job combination for filling a schedule. In some cases, it is possible to achieve the same utilization using several alternative sets of jobs. The LOS algorithm respects the arrival order of the jobs, and uses the set of jobs that is closer to the head of the queue. The LOS process takes a greedy approach to achieve a local optimum, but not necessarily a global optimum. A globally optimal algorithm that uses off-line, linear or quadratic programming may run into scalability issues with large number of jobs or when anticipating future arrival of jobs. Moreover, it is hard to accurately predict future arrivals and an off-line algorithm cannot be used for runtime elastic workloads.

More specifically, the LOS protocol described by Shmueli, et al., comprises two fundamental processing stages, including a first dynamic programming process, referred to herein as Basic_DP, and a second dynamic programming process, referred to herein as Reservation_DP. In the Basic_DP stage, a queue of batch jobs waiting in a batch jobs queue are processed, with emphasis on the head batch job in queue, to find a combination of batch jobs that would maximize current system utilization. If the batch job at the head of the batch jobs queue fits within the free capacity of the system, the head batch job is immediately started, along with one or more other pending batch jobs depending on the remaining system capacity. Otherwise, the Reservation_DP process is called to make a reservation for the head batch job so as to prevent the risk of starvation. The remainder of the waiting batch jobs in the queue are then processed using the Reservation_DP process to select a set of jobs that will maximize system utilization at the current time, while not violating the reservation made for the head batch job.

The LOS process differs from a standard “Backfilling” scheduling process in which a queue is serially scanned to schedule any job whose size is less than or equal to a current free capacity of the system. If there are a large number of small jobs waiting behind a large job at the head of the queue, the small jobs can be repeatedly picked to maximize utilization, if the available capacity is less than the size of the large job. Thus, with a standard Backfilling process, a large job at head of queue could be skipped repeatedly. Thus, in contrast to simply finding the right combination of jobs that maximize utilization at a given time as with the Backfilling process, a standard LOS process will start the job at head of queue right away if enough capacity is available. This bounds the waiting time of the large job at head of queue. If enough capacity is not available, then a reservation is made for starting the head job in the future by considering the remaining or residual execution time of running jobs. The queue is then scanned to find the right set of jobs to fill in holes before the reservation time. Thus, the Reservation_DP process is a modified version of the Basic_DP process.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs using a standard LOS scheduling protocol. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a batch jobs queue <b>100</b> comprising a plurality of pending batch jobs represented by shaded blocks, including a first batch job <b>102</b>, a second batch job <b>104</b> and a third batch job <b>106</b>. For purposes of explanation, it is assumed that the arrival order of the jobs is the first batch job <b>102</b>, followed by the second batch job <b>104</b>, and followed by the third batch job <b>106</b>, wherein the first batch job <b>102</b> is considered to be the head batch job (positioned at the head of the queue <b>100</b>). Moreover, it is assumed that the first batch job <b>102</b> is a job of size n=9, the second batch job <b>104</b> is of size n=4, and that the third batch job <b>106</b> is of size n=2, wherein the size n of a job represents a number of computing nodes (processors) in the processing system that are assigned to the job. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the vertical height of the shaded block of a given batch job represents the number n of processors assigned to the given batch job, and the horizontal width of the shaded block represents a user-requested execution time to complete the given batch job.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts a graph <b>110</b> which graphically illustrates an example of scheduling results for the queued batch jobs after execution of a LOS scheduling cycle. A vertical axis of the graph <b>110</b> denotes a number of computing nodes (processors) with a system total capacity of 12 nodes, and the horizontal axis denotes time. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, is assumed that an executing batch job <b>108</b> of size 6 is previously scheduled and executing at a time when the first, second and third batch jobs <b>102</b>, <b>104</b> and <b>106</b> arrive into the batch jobs queue <b>100</b>, and subsequently scheduled at time, t=0. At time=0, the head batch job <b>102</b> is not scheduled for execution, because there is insufficient system capacity to execute the batch job <b>102</b> of size 9 at the same time as the executing job <b>108</b> of size 6 (i.e., 6+9 exceeds the system capacity of 12 computing nodes).

As such, a reservation is made at time t=1 for scheduling the execution of the head batch job <b>102</b>. Moreover, with the Reservation_DP process, the scheduler determines that the pending batch job <b>106</b> (of size 2) can be scheduled for execution at time t=0 because there is sufficient system capacity, and because scheduling the batch job <b>106</b> would not violate the reservation for the head batch job <b>102</b> at time t=1. In other words, when the executing batch job <b>108</b> terminates and the head batch job <b>102</b> is scheduled to commence execution, there is sufficient system capacity to have both batch jobs <b>102</b> and <b>106</b> executing at time t=1. On the other hand, despite there being sufficient capacity at time t=0 to schedule the execution of the pending batch jobs <b>104</b> (of size 4) and 106 (of size 2) along with the already executing batch job <b>108</b> (of size 4), the batch job <b>104</b> (of size 4) will not be scheduled at time=0. This is because scheduling of the batch job <b>104</b> would violate the reservation of the head batch job <b>102</b> at time t=1 because there would be insufficient system capacity to execute the head batch job <b>102</b> (of size 9) at the same time (at time t=1) as the batch job <b>104</b> (of size 4). Accordingly, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, with the standard LOS process, the batch job <b>104</b> is scheduled for execution after termination of the head batch job <b>102</b>.

The standard LOS protocol does not implement runtime elasticity in which the execution time requirements of a given job can explicitly change while the given job is pending in queue (already submitted) or is being executed. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, scheduling protocols are implemented to extend a standard LOS protocol to incorporate runtime elasticity into the scheduling protocol. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs using a LOS scheduling protocol with run-time elasticity, according to an embodiment of the invention. Similar to the example shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a batch jobs queue <b>100</b> comprising a plurality of pending batch jobs including a first batch job <b>102</b>, a second batch job <b>104</b>, and a third batch job <b>106</b>. Moreover, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> depicts a graph <b>210</b> which graphically illustrates scheduling results for the queued batch jobs after execution of a LOS scheduling cycle in which the runtime execution requirement for the executing job <b>108</b> is modified.

In particular, the graph <b>210</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a change in the execution time (t⁺) of the executing job <b>108</b> which results in the execution time of the job <b>108</b> extending from an original termination time at t=1 to an extended termination time of t=2. Applying the same scheduling example discussed above with regard to the graph <b>110</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, similar scheduling results would result based on the LOS protocol as shown in the graph <b>210</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, except that due to the increase in the execution time (t⁺) of the executing job <b>108</b>, the reservation time for the head batch job <b>102</b> (of size 9) is set to a later time t=2. As with the scheduling example discussed above with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, despite there being sufficient capacity at time t=0 to schedule the execution of the pending batch jobs <b>104</b> (of size 4) and 106 (of size 2) along with the already executing batch job <b>108</b> (of size 4), the batch job <b>104</b> (of size 4) will not be scheduled at time r-O. This is because scheduling of the batch job <b>104</b> would violate the reservation of the head batch job <b>102</b> at time t=2, as there would be insufficient system capacity to execute the head batch job <b>102</b> (of size 9) at the same time (at time t=2) as the batch job <b>104</b> (of size 4) at time t=2. Accordingly, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, with the standard LOS process, the batch job <b>104</b> is scheduled for execution after termination of the head batch job <b>102</b>.

As shown in the graph <b>210</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, a straightforward implementation of time elasticity with the LOS protocol can negatively impact the scheduling of future jobs as there is a long time period from t=0 to t=2 in which the system capacity is underutilized. Indeed, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, there are 4 unused computing nodes during the time period from t=0 to t=2, and this time period is just slightly longer than the execution duration of the batch job <b>104</b> (of size 4). In accordance with embodiments of the invention, consideration is given to balancing the needs of queued or executing jobs in which the runtime execution requirements are modified on-the-fly, with the need to efficiently scheduling pending batch jobs in queue to optimally maximize system utilization. For homogenous workloads comprising batch jobs, a scheduling protocol referred to herein as “Delayed-LOS” is implemented to effectively schedule homogenous workloads with run time elasticity and maximize system utilization.

For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs using a Delayed-LOS scheduling protocol with run-time elasticity, according to an embodiment of the invention. Similar to the example shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a batch jobs queue <b>100</b> comprising a plurality of pending batch jobs including a first batch job <b>102</b>, a second batch job <b>104</b>, and a third batch job <b>106</b>. Moreover, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> depicts a graph <b>310</b> which graphically illustrates scheduling results for the queued batch jobs after execution of a LOS scheduling cycle in which the run time execution requirements for the executing job <b>108</b> is modified.

In particular, similar to the graph <b>210</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the graph <b>310</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a change in the execution time (t⁺) of the executing job <b>108</b> which results in the execution time of the job <b>108</b> extending from an original termination time at t=1 to an extended termination time of t=2. However, rather than reserving the execution time of the head batch job <b>102</b> (of size 9) at time t=2, the scheduling of the execution time of the head batch job <b>102</b> is delayed until time t=3 to enable execution of the batch job <b>104</b> (of size 4) in the period from t=0 to t=3. The period from time t=2 to t=3 is referred to herein as a “freeze duration” or “freeze period”, and the time t=3 is referred to as a “freeze end time”. In this example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the delayed scheduling of the head batch job <b>102</b> as an extension to the LOS protocol enables more efficient job packing in the period from t=0 to t=3 and, thus, maximizes system utilization. Embodiments of Delayed-LOS scheduling protocols according to the invention will be discussed in further detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, for example.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising both batch jobs and dedicated jobs using a standard scheduling protocol. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a batch jobs queue <b>400</b> comprising a plurality of pending batch jobs represented by shaded blocks, including a first batch job <b>402</b>, a second batch job <b>404</b>, and a third batch job <b>406</b>. For purposes of explanation, it is assumed that the arrival order of the jobs is the first batch job <b>402</b>, followed by the second batch job <b>404</b>, and followed by the third batch job <b>406</b>, wherein the first batch job <b>402</b> is considered to be the head batch job. Moreover, it is assumed that the first batch job <b>402</b> is a job of size n=7, the second batch job <b>404</b> is of size n=4, and that the third batch job <b>406</b> is of size n=6. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> further illustrates a dedicated jobs queue <b>401</b> comprising a dedicated job <b>403</b> of size n=4, wherein a subscript “start” denotes an example user-requested “start” time of the dedicated job <b>403</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts a graph <b>410</b> which graphically illustrates an example of scheduling results for the queued batch and dedicated jobs after execution of a scheduling protocol (such as a LOS protocol that is extended to consider dedicated jobs) in an HPC system having a maximum capacity of 10 computing nodes. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, with the LOS protocol, the head batch job <b>402</b> is immediately scheduled for execution at time t=0 since there is sufficient system capacity to execute the head batch job <b>402</b> (size 7). However, there is insufficient system capacity (3 nodes) at time t=0 to schedule the execution of the batch job <b>404</b> (size 4) or the batch job <b>406</b> (size 6). As further shown in the graph <b>401</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, after the execution of the head batch job <b>402</b> is complete at time t=1, the next head batch job <b>404</b> (of size 4) is immediately scheduled for execution, since there is sufficient system capacity to execute the batch job <b>404</b> (of size 4) at the time t=1. While there is sufficient system capacity at time t=1 to execute the pending batch job <b>406</b> (of size 6), the batch job <b>406</b> is not scheduled for execution because there would be insufficient system capacity at time t=start to execute the dedicated job <b>403</b> waiting in the dedicated queue <b>401</b>. In particular, since the end times of the batch jobs <b>404</b> and <b>406</b> would exceed the start time of the dedicated job <b>403</b>, there would be insufficient system capacity at time t=start to schedule the execution of batch job <b>406</b> concurrently with batch job <b>404</b>, without violating the rigid start time requirement of the dedicated job <b>403</b>.

Accordingly, as shown in the graph <b>410</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the dedicated job <b>403</b> is scheduled for execution at time t=start and concurrently executes with the batch job <b>404</b> for a short period of time. In this regard, the scheduling of the batch job <b>404</b> (of size 4) is proper at time=1 as there is sufficient system capacity to begin executing the dedicated job <b>403</b> (of size 4) at some point during execution of the batch job <b>404</b>. Moreover, the batch job <b>406</b> can be scheduled for execution immediately after the batch job <b>404</b> is complete since there is sufficient system capacity to start execution of the batch job <b>406</b> while the dedicated job <b>403</b> is executing.

As shown in the graph <b>410</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a straightforward implementation of scheduling dedicated jobs (with rigid start times) along with batch jobs using the LOS protocol can negatively impact the scheduling of future jobs, as there is a long time period from t=1 to t=start in which the system capacity is underutilized. Indeed, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, there are 6 unused computing nodes during the time period from t=1 to t=start. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, consideration is given to balancing the needs of queued/executing batch/dedicated jobs in which the runtime requirements can be modified on-the-fly with the need to efficiently schedule pending jobs and optimally maximize system utilization. For heterogeneous workloads comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs, a scheduling protocol referred to herein as “Hybrid-LOS” is implemented to effectively schedule heterogeneous workloads with run time elasticity and maximize system utilization.

For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates a process for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising both batch jobs and dedicated jobs using a Hybrid-LOS scheduling protocol with run-time elasticity, according to an embodiment of the invention. The pending jobs and scheduling results shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> are similar to those shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, except that <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows a slight delay in the user-requested start time of the dedicated job <b>403</b> to maximize system utilization. In particular, as shown in the graph <b>510</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the user-requested start time of the dedicated job <b>403</b> is delayed from the time t=start to the time t=start′. The delayed scheduling of the dedicated job <b>403</b> enables concurrent scheduling of the batch job <b>406</b> (of size 6) with the batch job <b>404</b> (of size 4) at the time t=1 to maximize utilization of the system capacity (which is 10 computing nodes). In this regard, the delayed start time of t-start′ is selected at the time when the execution of the batch job <b>404</b> (of size 4) is terminated. At the time t=start′, when the batch job <b>404</b> terminates, there is sufficient system capacity to have the dedicated job <b>403</b> execute concurrently with the batch job <b>406</b> (of size 6). It is to be noted that the amount of delay (or tolerance) that an HPC system can add to a user-requested start time of a dedicated job can be specified according to some HPC system tolerance parameter that the user accepts upon the condition of submitting a dedicated job to the HPC system, or the amount of delay can be some tolerance factor that is actually provided by the user at submission time of the dedicated job, etc. Embodiments of Hybrid-LOS scheduling protocols according to the invention will be discussed in further detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, for example.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram of a system for scheduling homogenous and heterogeneous workloads in an HPC environment, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, a system <b>600</b> generally comprises a scheduler <b>610</b> and a HPC system <b>620</b> (e.g., parallel computer system). The scheduler <b>610</b> comprises a batch jobs queue <b>611</b>, a dedicated jobs queue <b>612</b>, an elastic control queue <b>613</b>, an elastic control command processor <b>614</b>, a delayed-LOS process <b>615</b>, and a Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b>. The HPC system <b>620</b> may be any parallel processing system such as International Business Machine's BlueGene/P system in which nodes are clustered in groups of 32 processors each, or any other parallel processing environment in which each executing job <b>622</b> includes a number of concurrently executing processes that are executed using a plurality of parallel processors.

The batch jobs queue <b>611</b> receives and temporarily stores incoming batch jobs <b>630</b>. The dedicated jobs queue <b>62</b> receives and temporarily stores incoming dedicated jobs <b>640</b>. In one embodiment of the invention, the Delayed-LOS process <b>615</b> and the Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b> operate to schedule non-elastic workloads in which the execution times of jobs do not dynamically change at runtime. To support run-time elasticity wherein the execution times of jobs can be changed after they are submitted to the scheduler <b>610</b>, the scheduler <b>610</b> implements the elastic control command processor <b>614</b> to process elastic control commands <b>650</b> (ECCs) that are stored in the elastic control queue <b>613</b>. In one embodiment of the invention, an ECC <b>650</b> is a command that is issued by a user to extend or reduce a user-estimated execution time of a given job, which was originally specified at submission time of the given job. An ECC <b>650</b> can be issued for one or more executing jobs <b>622</b> (executing batch or dedicated jobs) in the HPC system <b>620</b>, or for a given batch job or dedicated job that is stored in the batch jobs queue <b>611</b> or the dedicated jobs queue <b>612</b> waiting to be scheduled. In one embodiment of the invention, the incoming ECCs <b>650</b> stored in the elastic control queue <b>613</b> are processed on a first-come first-serve (FCFS) basis by the ECC processor <b>614</b>. In an embodiment of the invention, a maximum count on number of ECCs can be imposed for a given job.

The ECCs <b>650</b> are explicitly issued by a user and are different from the implicit “kill-by time” that is computed based on the originally specified user-estimated execution time. In contrast, an ECC results in a change of a “kill-by time” and, therefore, a change in the actual job execution time. A change in the job execution time can result in a change in the residual or remaining execution times of executing jobs <b>622</b> in the HPC system <b>620</b> as well. As discussed in further detail below, the Delayed-LOS process <b>615</b> and Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b> each consider the residual execution times of jobs in their respective job scheduling protocols. As such, any change in the runtime requirement of a given batch or dedicated job, as triggered by an ECC command <b>650</b> issued by the user or system, would bring runtime elasticity into the system <b>600</b>. When an ECC <b>650</b> triggers the increase in runtime of a batch or dedicated job in one of the queues <b>611</b> or <b>612</b> or an executing job <b>622</b> in the HPC system <b>620</b>, a new scheduling cycle is initiated whereby the Delayed-LOS process <b>615</b> or the Hybrid LOS process <b>616</b> will recompute a job schedule based on the new “elastically increased” runtime requirement of a given job. While the Delayed-LOS process <b>615</b> works for homogeneous workloads of batch jobs that may be elastically modified in terms of their runtime requirements, the Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b> (which incorporates the Delayed LOS process <b>615</b>) operates to schedule a heterogeneous workload comprising batch jobs that may be elastically modified and rigid or dedicated jobs that have a fixed user-requested start time (with a certain user and/or system specified tolerance that the Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b> can consider when scheduling jobs).

In one embodiment of the invention, the Delayed-LOS process <b>615</b> implements scheduling protocols that will be discussed in detail below with reference to the flow diagram of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C</figref>, and the pseudo code Algorithm 1 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. In another embodiment of the invention, the Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b> implements scheduling protocols that will be discussed in detail below with reference to the flow diagram of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C</figref>, and the pseudo code Algorithms 2 and 3 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. For purposes of describing the Delayed-LOS <b>615</b> and Hybrid-LOS <b>616</b> scheduling protocols of the scheduler <b>610</b>, the following notations, as set forth in the pseudo code Algorithms 1, 2 and 3 in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 11</figref>, are applied.

M denotes a total number of computing nodes (processors) that are available in the HPC system <b>620</b>.

m denotes a total number of free or unreserved nodes that are available at a given time t in the HPC system <b>620</b>, wherein M-m is the number of computing nodes that are reserved at a given time t.

<img file="US10223165B2_D0001.tif" />^bdenotes the batch jobs queue <b>611</b> of all waiting batch jobs: <img file="US10223165B2_D0002.tif" />^b={<img file="US10223165B2_D0003.tif" />₁^b, <img file="US10223165B2_D0004.tif" />₂^b, . . . , <img file="US10223165B2_D0005.tif" />_B^b}, where B=|<img file="US10223165B2_D0006.tif" />^b|. Each batch job <img file="US10223165B2_D0007.tif" />_i^bin the batch jobs queue <b>611</b> is represented by a tuple: <img file="US10223165B2_D0008.tif" />_i^b=(num, dur, arr, scount)_i^b, where num is a parameter that denotes the size or number of node required as part of the given batch job, dur is a parameter that denotes the duration or user-estimated execution time of the batch job, arr is a parameter that denotes an arrival time of the batch job, and scount is parameter that denotes a “skip count”, i.e., a number of times or scheduling cycles that the batch job was skipped and was not scheduled. C_sis a parameter that denotes an upper threshold value on scount.

<img file="US10223165B2_D0009.tif" />^ddenotes list of all waiting dedicated jobs in the dedicated jobs queue <b>612</b>, where <img file="US10223165B2_D0010.tif" />^d={<img file="US10223165B2_D0011.tif" />₁^d, <img file="US10223165B2_D0012.tif" />₂^d, . . . , <img file="US10223165B2_D0013.tif" />_D^d}, and where D=|<img file="US10223165B2_D0014.tif" />^d|. Each dedicated job <img file="US10223165B2_D0015.tif" />_i^din the dedicated jobs queue <b>612</b> is represented by a tuple: <img file="US10223165B2_D0016.tif" />_i^d=(num, dur, start)_i^d, where num is a parameter that denotes the size or number of computing nodes required as part of the given dedicated job, dur is a parameter that denotes the duration or user-estimated execution time of the dedicated job, and start is a parameter that denotes a user-requested start time of the dedicated job.

<img file="US10223165B2_D0017.tif" /> denotes a sorted list of all active/running jobs (executing jobs <b>622</b>) in the HPC system <b>620</b> including both batch and dedicated jobs. In particular, <img file="US10223165B2_D0018.tif" />={a₁, a₂, . . . , a_A}, where A=|<img file="US10223165B2_D0019.tif" />|. Each active job a_iis represented by a tuple a_i=(num, res), where num is a parameter that denotes a number of computing nodes on which the active job is running and res is a parameter that denotes the residual or remaining execution time of the active job.

<img file="US10223165B2_D0020.tif" /> denotes a set of all jobs selected to be scheduled at a given time t computed after a Basic_DP process is called.

<img file="US10223165B2_D0021.tif" />_fdenotes a set of all jobs selected to be scheduled at time t computed after the Reservation_DP process is called. The Reservation_DP process implements “freeze” durations to avoid starvation of large jobs.

fret_band fret_ddenote a “freeze end time” for batch jobs and dedicated jobs, respectively.

frec_band frec_ddenote a “freeze end capacity” for batch jobs and dedicated jobs, respectively.

frenum denotes a number of nodes required at the “freeze end time” for batch jobs present in the batch jobs queue, <img file="US10223165B2_D0022.tif" />^b

Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention, in the scheduling processes represented by Algorithms 1, 2 and 3, the following invariant constraints are applied:

(i) num≤M, start≥t+1;

(ii) The batch jobs queue <b>611</b>, <img file="US10223165B2_D0023.tif" />^b, is maintained as a FIFO queue in order of arrival time, where <img file="US10223165B2_D0024.tif" />₁^b·arr≤<img file="US10223165B2_D0025.tif" />₂^b·arr≤ . . . <img file="US10223165B2_D0026.tif" />_b^b·arr;

(iii) <img file="US10223165B2_D0027.tif" />^dis maintained as a sorted list in increasing instants of start time of dedicated jobs, i.e., <img file="US10223165B2_D0028.tif" />₁^d·start≤<img file="US10223165B2_D0029.tif" />₂^d·start≤ . . . <img file="US10223165B2_D0030.tif" />_D^d·start. In this regard, the head dedicated job at the head of the dedicated jobs queue <b>612</b> is the dedicated job having the next start time of all the dedicated jobs in the dedicated jobs queue; and

(iv) <img file="US10223165B2_D0031.tif" /> is maintained as a sorted list in increasing order of residual duration, a_i·res, i.e., a₁·res≤a₂·res≤ . . . ≤a_A·res.

Moreover, the input to the Delayed-LOS process <b>615</b> is {M, <img file="US10223165B2_D0032.tif" />^b}. The input to the Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b> is {M, <img file="US10223165B2_D0033.tif" />^b, <img file="US10223165B2_D0034.tif" />^d}. The batch and dedicated jobs queues <img file="US10223165B2_D0035.tif" />^band <img file="US10223165B2_D0036.tif" />^dare updated in real-time with newly arriving jobs. The output of the Delayed-LOS process <b>615</b> and the Hybrid-LOS process <b>616</b> are the set <img file="US10223165B2_D0037.tif" />and <img file="US10223165B2_D0038.tif" />_f, respectively, which translate into an update of <img file="US10223165B2_D0039.tif" />.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C</figref> depict a flow diagram of a method for scheduling a homogeneous workload comprising batch jobs, according to an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C</figref> depicts a process flow for a Delayed-LOS scheduling process which is based on the pseudo code Algorithm 1 depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. For purposes of completeness, the method of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C</figref> will be discussed in conjunction with the Algorithm 1 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. In general, a Delayed-LOS scheduling process according to an embodiment of the invention is based, in part, on the LOS process which uses dynamic programming for the Basic_DP and Reservation_DP processes, as discussed above. In the Algorithm 1 of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, a Delayed-LOS protocol utilizes a Basic_DP (Line 7 of Algorithm 1) in which a queue of batch jobs is processed, with emphasis on the head batch job in queue, to find a combination of pending batch jobs that would maximize current system utilization. In contrast to the standard LOS process as discussed above, a Delayed-LOS process according to an embodiment of the invention utilizes an attribute scount, which represents the number of times the head job in waiting queue is skipped while selecting jobs for scheduling using a Basic_DP process. The Delayed-LOS protocol determines if the batch job at the head of the batch jobs queue fits within the free capacity of the system, and the head batch job may or may not be started or scheduled at that time depending on the scount parameter for the head batch job. The value of scount is initially set to zero for a new head job and is increased by one at every scheduling cycle if the head job is not selected in that schedule cycle using the Basic_DP (see Lines 6-11 of Algorithm 1). When the scount parameter exceeds the pre-determined maximum skip count threshold (Cs), the Delayed-LOS process calls the Reservation_DP process (see Lines 3-5, and 12-20 of Algorithm 1). This scheduling protocol allows bounding of the waiting time of a head batch job when the scount parameter exceeds Cs. The value of Cs can be selected through experimentation, wherein formulating a systematic or analytical methodology to compute the optimal value of Cs using any characteristics of the workload is a non-trivial problem, which involves consideration of multiple workload characteristics such as job arrival time, job arrival rate, job size, job execution time, etc.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>, a new Delayed-LOS scheduling cycle is started in response to a triggering event (Block <b>700</b>). In an embodiment of the invention, a scheduling cycle is triggered by the arrival of a new batch job into the batch jobs queue, the departure of completed job from the HPC system, or the arrival of an ECC command that triggers a change in runtime requirement of a batch job in queue or already running in the system. When a triggering event occurs, the scheduler determines a number, m, of currently available computing nodes (block <b>702</b>). In particular, assuming M denotes a total number of computing nodes (processors) that are available on an HPC system, the total number m of free or unreserved computing nodes that are available at a given time t is equal to the total number of computing nodes M (maximum system capacity) less the total amount of all computing nodes that are being used by all active/running jobs at that given time (see, Line 1 of Algorithm 1).

If there are no available computing nodes (i.e., m=0) at the given time (negative determination in block <b>704</b>), then the scheduling cycle ends (block <b>718</b>). If there are available computing nodes (i.e., m&gt;0) (affirmative determination in block <b>704</b>), a determination is then made as to whether there are batch jobs waiting in the batch jobs queue (block <b>706</b>). If the batch jobs queue is empty (affirmative decision in block <b>706</b>), then the scheduling cycle ends (block <b>718</b>). Blocks <b>704</b> and <b>706</b> correspond to Line 2 of Algorithm 1.

On the other hand, if the batch jobs queue is not empty (negative determination in step <b>706</b>), the parameters num and scount for the batch job at the head of the batch jobs queue are examined (blocks <b>708</b> and <b>710</b>). As noted above, the parameter num denotes the number of nodes that are required to execute the batch job, and the parameter scount denotes a number of scheduling cycles in which the batch job was skipped and not scheduled. If the number (num) of computing nodes required for the head batch job is less than or equal to the number m of available computing nodes and (ii) if the scount value of the head batch job is greater than or equal to the threshold value Cs (affirmative determination in blocks <b>708</b> and <b>710</b>), then the head batch job is removed from the batch jobs queue (block <b>712</b>), and the head batch job is added to the list <img file="US10223165B2_D0040.tif" /> of active/running jobs (block <b>714</b>). The head batch job is activated in the HPC system (block <b>716</b>) and the current scheduling cycle ends (block <b>718</b>). The scheduler then enters a wait state (block <b>720</b>) for the occurrence of a next triggering event to initiate a new scheduling cycle. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>, affirmative decisions in blocks <b>708</b> and <b>710</b> correspond to Line 3 of Algorithm 1, blocks <b>712</b> and <b>714</b> correspond to Line 4 of Algorithm 1, and block <b>716</b> corresponds to Line 5 of Algorithm 1.

On the other hand, if the number (num) of computing nodes required for the head batch job is less than or equal to the number m of available computing nodes, but the scount value of the head batch job is NOT greater than or equal to the threshold value C (affirmative determination in block <b>708</b>, and negative determination in block <b>710</b>), then the scheduling process proceeds to block <b>722</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref>, the process continues by calling the Basic_DP method to process the batch jobs queue to determine a set of jobs that will maximize system utilization (block <b>722</b>). A set <img file="US10223165B2_D0041.tif" /> of batch jobs selected to be scheduled at time t is computed after the Basic_DP process is called (block <b>724</b>). If the head batch job is not within the set <img file="US10223165B2_D0042.tif" /> of jobs selected to be scheduled at time t, the skin count value, scount, of the head batch job is increased by one (block <b>726</b>). The set <img file="US10223165B2_D0043.tif" /> of batch jobs selected to be scheduled is removed from the batch jobs queue and added to the list <img file="US10223165B2_D0044.tif" /> of active/running jobs (block <b>728</b>). The set <img file="US10223165B2_D0045.tif" /> of selected batch jobs are then activated in the HPC system (block <b>730</b>) and the current scheduling cycle ends (return to block <b>718</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>). It is to be noted that Line 6 of Algorithm 1 corresponds to an affirmative determination in block <b>708</b> and negative determination in block <b>710</b>, and that blocks <b>722</b>, <b>724</b>, <b>726</b>, <b>728</b> and <b>730</b> correspond to Lines 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, respectively, of Algorithm 1.

Referring back to block <b>708</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>, if the number (num) of computing nodes required for the head batch job is NOT less than or equal to the number m of available computing nodes (negative determination in block <b>708</b> (see Line 12 of Algorithm 1), then the scheduling process proceeds to block <b>732</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7C</figref>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7C</figref>, the scheduling process proceeds by determining a number (s) of active jobs (starting from the smallest job and increasing in size) which must be finished before there are enough computing nodes available to meet the requirements of the head batch job in the batch jobs queue (block <b>732</b>). As noted above, the set of all active jobs <img file="US10223165B2_D0046.tif" /> is maintained as a sorted list in increasing order of residual duration, a₁·res≤a₂·res≤ . . . ≤a_A·res. With this step (block <b>732</b>), an index value s is determined representing an index of the active job a_iwhere i=s, such that: &lt;br /&gt;<i>m+Σ</i>_i=1^s-1<i>a</i>_i·num&lt;<i>w</i>₁^b·num≤<i>m+Σ</i>_i=1^s<i>a</i>_i·num  (see Line 13 of Algorithm 1)

Next, a freeze end time, fret_b, is computed by adding the remaining execution time (res) of the active job of index s (a_s) to the current time t (block <b>734</b>). Then, a freeze end capacity, frec_b, is computed by adding the number of available computing nodes m, plus the total number of required computing nodes for all active jobs in the active list from a₁to a_s, less the number of computing nodes required for the head batch job (block <b>736</b>). More specifically, in an embodiment of the invention, the freeze end capacity, frec_b, is computed as: &lt;br /&gt;frec_b<i>=m+Σ</i>_i=1^s<i>a</i>_i·num−<i>w</i>₁^b·num  (See Line 15 of Algorithm 1).

Next, for each batch job in the batch jobs queue having a required number of computing nodes that is less than or equal to m, we compute the number of computing nodes required at the freeze end time for that batch job (block <b>738</b>). As noted above, frenum denotes a number of computing nodes required at the “freeze end time” for batch jobs present in the batch jobs queue, <img file="US10223165B2_D0047.tif" />^b. The frenum of a given batch job will be zero (0) if the current time (t)+the duration (dur) or user-estimated execution time of the batch job is less than the freeze end time, fret_b. Otherwise, the frenum of a given batch job will be set equal to the number of required computing nodes (num) for that batch job (see Line 16 of Algorithm 1).

Thereafter, the Reservation_DP method is called to make a reservation for scheduling the head job for future execution based on the computed freeze end capacity (block <b>740</b>). A set <img file="US10223165B2_D0048.tif" />_fof all jobs selected to be scheduled at time t is then determined after the Reservation_DP process is called (block <b>742</b>). The set <img file="US10223165B2_D0049.tif" />_fof batch jobs selected to be scheduled is removed from the batch jobs queue and added to the list <img file="US10223165B2_D0050.tif" /> of active/running jobs (block <b>744</b>). The set <img file="US10223165B2_D0051.tif" />_fof selected batch jobs are then activated in the HPC system (block <b>746</b>) and the current scheduling cycle ends (return to block <b>718</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>). It is to be noted that blocks <b>740</b>, <b>742</b>, <b>744</b> and <b>746</b>, correspond to Lines 17, 18, 19, and 20, respectively, of Algorithm 1 (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). It is to be understood that the process of blocks <b>742</b>-<b>746</b> operates to delay the scheduling of the head job in the batch queue when there is not enough available computing nodes (processors) to execute the job. The head job is delayed to a future time equal to the freeze end time. Instead, other smaller batch jobs in the batch jobs queue are scheduled which have a total size that is less than the number of available computing nodes.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C</figref> depict a flow diagram of a method for scheduling a heterogeneous workload comprising batch jobs and dedicated jobs, according to an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C</figref> depict a process flow for a Hybrid-LOS scheduling process which is based on the pseudo code Algorithms 2 and 3 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. In general, a Hybrid-LOS scheduling process according to an embodiment of the invention is based on an extension of the Delayed-LOS process for processing heterogeneous workloads comprising both batch and dedicated jobs, wherein batch jobs are scheduled in the presence of dedicated jobs that are required to be scheduled at a user-requested start time. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the dedicated jobs queue <b>612</b> is used by the scheduler <b>610</b> to temporarily store waiting dedicated jobs. While batch jobs in the batch jobs queue <b>611</b> are selected to be scheduled with the objective of maximizing utilization, dedicated jobs are scheduled at their requested start time (or at some later time within the user and/or system specified tolerance). To implement this scheduling protocol, explicit reservations are made for dedicated jobs in the future and batch jobs are scheduled around the dedicated jobs using an approach similar to the Delayed-LOS process as discussed above. In this regard, a Hybrid-LOS process can be considered an extension of the Delayed-LOS process to support heterogeneous workloads.

A Hybrid-LOS process according to an embodiment of the invention is presented as Algorithm 2 in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. In general, a Hybrid-LOS process begins by determining if the dedicated queue is empty (see Line 3 of Algorithm 2). If there are no dedicated jobs in queue, then batch jobs are scheduled using a Delayed-LOS algorithm (see Line 4 of Algorithm 2). Otherwise, if the requested start time of the first dedicated job has been reached, the dedicated job is moved to the head of batch queue to be scheduled in the next scheduling cycle, see Lines 6-7 of Algorithm 2, wherein Algorithm 3 of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a process for moving the head dedicated job into a head position of the batch jobs queue. If the requested start time of the head dedicated job has not been reached, then a “freeze end time” and “freeze end capacity” are computed (see Lines 8-15 of Algorithm 2) for scheduling batch jobs around the head dedicated job with explicit reservations for the head dedicated job. For a given requested start time of the head dedicated job in queue, in the future, if there is enough capacity for all other dedicated jobs with identical start times (see Lines 16-17 of Algorithm 2), then batch jobs are scheduled around these dedicated jobs (see Lines 18-22 of Algorithm 2). Since there is enough capacity for all dedicated jobs, the dedicated jobs will be scheduled on time at their requested start times. If enough capacity is not available, batch jobs are scheduled around the dedicated jobs, but some dedicated jobs will be scheduled with a delay with regard to their requested start times (see Lines 24-30 of Algorithm 2), as there is insufficient capacity available for dedicated jobs. Moreover, a provision is made to handle a situation when the scount parameter value of the head batch job surpasses the skip count threshold Cs (see Lines 35-37 of Algorithm 2) and provision is made to handle the dedicated jobs queue when batch jobs queue is empty (see Lines 39-42 of Algorithm 2). The Hybrid-LOS scheduling protocol of Algorithm 2 of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> will now be discussed in greater detail with regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C</figref>.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>, a new Hybrid-LOS scheduling cycle is started in response to a triggering event (Block <b>800</b>). In an embodiment of the invention, a scheduling cycle is triggered by the arrival of a new batch job into the batch jobs queue <b>611</b>, the arrival of a new dedicated job into the dedicated jobs queue <b>612</b>, the departure of completed batch job or dedicated job from the HPC system <b>620</b>, or the arrival of an ECC command that triggers a change in runtime requirement of either a batch job or dedicated job in queue or already running in the HPC system <b>620</b>. When a triggering event occurs, the scheduler <b>600</b> determines a number, m, of currently available computing nodes (block <b>802</b>). In particular, assuming M denotes a total number of computing nodes (processors) that are available on the HPC system <b>620</b>, the total number m of free computing nodes that are available at a given time t is equal to the total number of computing nodes M less the total amount of all computing nodes that are being used by all active/running batch and dedicated jobs (see, Line 1 of Algorithm 2).

If there are available computing nodes (i.e., m&gt;0) (affirmative determination in block <b>804</b>), a determination is then made as to whether there are batch jobs waiting in the batch jobs queue (block <b>806</b>). If the batch jobs queue is not empty (negative decision in block <b>806</b>), then a determination is then made as to whether there are dedicated jobs waiting in the dedicated jobs queue (block <b>808</b>). If the dedicated jobs queue is empty (affirmative decision in block <b>808</b>), the scheduler <b>600</b> performs a Delayed-LOS scheduling process as discussed above with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C</figref> (block <b>810</b>), and the scheduling cycle ends (block <b>818</b>). Thus, if there are available computing nodes, and there are batch jobs in queue but no dedicated jobs in queue, then a standard Delayed-LOS process is commenced (see Lines 2, 3, 4 of Algorithm 2).

Alternatively, if there are available computing nodes (m&gt;0) (affirmative decision in block <b>804</b>), but the batch jobs queue is empty (affirmative decision in block <b>806</b>) and the dedicated jobs queue is empty (affirmative decision in block <b>812</b>), then the scheduling cycle ends (block <b>818</b>) (See Lines 2, 39, 43 and 44 of Algorithm 2).

Moreover, if there are available computing nodes (m&gt;0) (affirmative decision in block <b>804</b>), and the batch jobs queue is empty (affirmative decision in block <b>806</b>) and the dedicated jobs queue is not empty (negative decision in block <b>812</b>), a determination is made as to whether the start time (start) of the head job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to the current time t (block <b>814</b>). If the start time (start) of the head job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to the current time t (affirmative determination in block <b>814</b>), then the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is moved to the head position of the batch jobs queue (block <b>816</b>) using a process shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> (which is Algorithm 3 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), which will be discussed in further detail below. If the start time (start) of the head job in the dedicated jobs queue is NOT less than or equal to the current time t (negative determination in block <b>814</b>), then the scheduling cycle ends (block <b>818</b>), and the scheduler <b>610</b> enters into a wait state for the next triggering event (block <b>820</b>). It is to be noted that blocks <b>812</b>, <b>814</b> and <b>816</b> correspond to Lines 39, 40 and 41 of Algorithm 2).

Alternatively, if there are available computing nodes (m&gt;0) (affirmative determination in block <b>804</b>), and the batch jobs queue is NOT empty (negative determination in block <b>806</b>) and the dedicated jobs queue is NOT empty (negative determination in block <b>808</b>), then the scheduling process proceeds to block <b>822</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>, a determination is made as to whether the skip count (scount) of the head batch job at the head of the batch jobs queue is greater than or equal to the skip count threshold (block <b>822</b>). If the scount value of the head batch job is greater than or equal to the threshold value C_s(affirmative determination in block <b>822</b>), then the head batch job is removed from the batch jobs queue (block <b>824</b>), and the head batch job is added to the list <img file="US10223165B2_D0052.tif" /> of active/running jobs (block <b>826</b>). The head batch job is activated in the HPC system (block <b>828</b>) and the current scheduling cycle ends (return to block <b>818</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>). The scheduler <b>610</b> then enters a wait state (block <b>820</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>) for the occurrence of a next triggering event to initiate a new scheduling cycle. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>, blocks <b>822</b>, <b>824</b>, <b>826</b>, and <b>828</b> correspond to Lines 35, 36, and 37 of Algorithm 2.

On the other hand, if the scount value of the head batch job is NOT greater than or equal to the threshold value C_s(negative determination in block <b>822</b>), then a determination is made as to whether the start time of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to the current time (block <b>830</b>). If the start time of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to the current time (affirmative determination block <b>830</b>), then the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is moved to the head position of the batch jobs queue (block <b>832</b>) using the process shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. It is to be noted that blocks <b>830</b> and <b>832</b> correspond to Lines 6 and 7 of Algorithm 2 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>.

If the start time of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is NOT less than or equal to the current time (negative determination block <b>830</b>), then a freeze end time of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is set equal to the user-requested start time of the head dedicated job (block <b>834</b>) (see Lines 8 and 9 of Algorithm 2). A determination is then made as to whether the start time of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to the current time t plus the remaining execution time of the active job with the largest remaining execution time (block <b>836</b>). If the start time of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is NOT less than or equal to the current time t plus the remaining execution time of the active job with the largest remaining execution time (negative determination in block <b>836</b>), then the freeze end capacity of the head dedicated job is set equal to the total number of computing nodes in the HPC system (block <b>838</b>) and the process flow proceeds to block <b>844</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8C</figref>. It is to be noted that blocks <b>836</b> and <b>838</b> correspond to Lines 10, 13 and 14 of Algorithm 2.

On the other hand, if the start time of the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue is less than or equal to the current time t plus the remaining execution time of the active job with the largest remaining execution time (affirmative determination in block <b>836</b>), then an index (s) is determined for an active job a_i, where i=s (block <b>840</b>) with the condition that: &lt;br /&gt;<i>t+a</i>_s-1·res&lt;<i>w</i>₁^d·start≤<i>t+a</i>_s·res  (see Lines 10 and 11 of Algorithm 2).&lt;br /&gt; As noted above, the set of all active jobs <img file="US10223165B2_D0053.tif" /> is maintained as a sorted list in increasing order of residual duration, a₁·res≤a₂·res≤ . . . ≤a_A·res. Therefore, with this process (block <b>840</b>), the active job (a_s) with index s is determined such that the current time t plus the residual time (res) of the active job a_sis greater than or equal to the start time of the head dedicated job, and such that the start time of the head dedicated job is greater than the current time t plus the residual time (res) of the active job (a_s-1) with index s−1.

Next, based on the computed index s, the freeze end capacity of the head dedicated job is set equal to the total number M of computing nodes of the HPC system less the sum of all required computing nodes for all active jobs of index s and higher (block <b>842</b>). In other words, the freeze end capacity of the head dedicated job is computed as: frec_d=M−Σ_i=s^Aa_i·num (see Line 12 of Algorithm 2). The process flow then proceeds to block <b>844</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8C</figref>.

More specifically, referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8C</figref>, once the freeze end capacity of the head dedicated job is computed (in block <b>838</b> or <b>842</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>), the process proceeds to compute a tot_start_num (block <b>844</b>). The tot_start_num is the sum of the number of computing nodes (processors) required by all dedicated jobs whose start time is the same as the head dedicated job in the dedicated queue. In other words, the sum of number of computing nodes (processors) required by all jobs in dedicated queue that are supposed to start at the same time as the head dedicated job in the dedicated jobs queue (see Line 16 of Algorithm 2).

A determination is made as to whether the tot_start_num is less than or equal to the freeze end capacity of the head dedicated job (block <b>846</b>) (see Line 17 of Algorithm 2). If the tot_start_num is less than or equal to the freeze end capacity of the head dedicated job (affirmative determination in block <b>846</b>), then a new freeze end capacity is computed equal to the current value of the freeze end capacity less the tot_start_num (block <b>848</b>) (see Line 18 of Algorithm 2). Thereafter, for each batch job in the batch jobs queue having a required number of computing nodes that is less than or equal to m, we compute the number of computing nodes required at the freeze end time for that batch job (block <b>856</b>). As noted above, the parameter frenum denotes a number of computing nodes required at the “freeze end time” for batch jobs present in the batch jobs queue, <img file="US10223165B2_D0054.tif" />^b. The frenum value for a given batch job will be zero (0) if the current time (t)+the duration (dur) or user-estimated execution time of the batch job is less than the freeze end time, fret_d. Otherwise, the frenum value of a given batch job will be set equal to the number of required computing nodes (num) for that batch job (see Line 19 of Algorithm 2).

Thereafter, the Reservation_DP method is called to make a reservation for scheduling the head job for future execution based on the computed freeze end capacity, frec_d, and the frenum values of the batch jobs (block <b>858</b>) (see Line 20 of Algorithm 2). A set <img file="US10223165B2_D0055.tif" />_fof all jobs selected to be scheduled at time t is then determined after the Reservation_DP process is called (block <b>860</b>) (see Line 21 of Algorithm 2). If the head job in the batch jobs queue is not in the set <img file="US10223165B2_D0056.tif" />_fof selected jobs, then the skip count (scount) of the head job in the batch jobs queue is increased by one (block <b>862</b>) (see Line 22 of Algorithm 2). The set <img file="US10223165B2_D0057.tif" />_fof batch jobs selected to be scheduled is removed from the batch jobs queue and added to the list <img file="US10223165B2_D0058.tif" /> of active/running jobs (block <b>864</b>) (see Line 32 of Algorithm 2). The batch jobs in the set <img file="US10223165B2_D0059.tif" />_fof selected batch jobs are activated in the HPC system (block <b>866</b>) (see Line 33 of Algorithm 2), and the current scheduling cycle ends (return to block <b>818</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>).

On the other hand, referring back to block <b>846</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8C</figref>, if the tot_start_num is NOT less than or equal to the freeze end capacity of the head dedicated job (negative determination in block <b>846</b>), then Lines 24, 25 and 26 of Algorithm 2 are executed. In particular, the scheduling process proceeds by determining a number (s) of active jobs (starting from the smallest job and increasing in size) which must be finished before there are enough computing nodes available for all dedicated jobs whose start time is the same as that of head dedicated job in the dedicated queue (block <b>850</b>). As noted above, the set of all active jobs <img file="US10223165B2_D0060.tif" /> is maintained as a sorted list in increasing order of residual duration, a₁·res≤a₂·res≤ . . . ≤a_A·res. With this step (block <b>850</b>), an index s is determined representing an index of the active job a_iwhere i=s, such that: &lt;br /&gt;<i>m+Σ</i>_i=1^s-1<i>a</i>_i·num&lt;tot_start_num_<i>≤m+Σ</i>_i=1^s<i>a</i>_i·num  (see Line 24 of Algorithm 2).

Next, a freeze end time, fret_d, is computed by adding the remaining execution time (res) of the active job of index s (as) to the current time t (block <b>852</b>) (see Line 25 of Algorithm 2). Then, a freeze end capacity, frec_d, is computed by adding the number of available computing nodes m, plus the total number of required computing nodes for all active jobs in the active list from a₁to a_s, less the tot_start_num (block <b>854</b>). More specifically, in an embodiment of the invention, the freeze end capacity, frec_d, is computed as: &lt;br /&gt;frec_d<i>=m+Σ</i>_i=1^s<i>a</i>_i·num−tot_start_num  (See Line 26 of Algorithm 2).&lt;br /&gt; Thereafter, the process proceeds with blocks <b>856</b>, <b>858</b>, <b>860</b>, <b>862</b>, <b>864</b> and <b>866</b> (as discussed above), and the scheduling cycle ends (proceed to block <b>818</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>) and the scheduler enters a wait state for the next triggering event (block <b>820</b>).

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flow diagram of a method for moving a head dedicated job into a head position of a batch jobs queue, according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a process flow of the Algorithm 3 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> for a Move_Dedicted_Head_To_Batch_Head process, according to an embodiment of the invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows a process flow that is implemented in block <b>816</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref> block <b>832</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, when the Move_Dedicted_Head_To_Batch_Head process is called, a first step includes establishing a new data structure for a head job to be included in the batch jobs queue (block <b>900</b>). Next, the parameter num for the new head job in the batch queue is set equal to the number of required computing nodes for the head dedicated job (block <b>902</b>). The duration (dur) parameter of the new head job in the batch queue is then set to the duration of the head dedicated job (block <b>904</b>). The arrival time (arr) parameter for the new head job in the batch queue is set equal to the arrival time of the head dedicated job (block <b>906</b>). The skip count (scount) parameter of the new head job in the batch queue is set equal to the skip count threshold value (block <b>908</b>). Finally, the head dedicated job is removed from the dedicated jobs queue and added as the new data structure to the batch jobs queue (block <b>910</b>).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Referring again to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-11</figref>, the diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or a block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagram and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

One or more embodiments can make use of software running on a general-purpose computer or workstation. With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, in a computing node <b>10</b> there is a computer system/server <b>12</b>, which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server <b>12</b> include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server <b>12</b> may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server <b>12</b> may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, computer system/server <b>12</b> in computing node <b>10</b> is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server <b>12</b> may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units <b>16</b>, a system memory <b>28</b>, and a bus <b>18</b> that couples various system components including system memory <b>28</b> to processor <b>16</b>.

The bus <b>18</b> represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

The computer system/server <b>12</b> typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server <b>12</b>, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

The system memory <b>28</b> can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) <b>30</b> and/or cache memory <b>32</b>. The computer system/server <b>12</b> may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system <b>34</b> can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus <b>18</b> by one or more data media interfaces. As depicted and described herein, memory <b>28</b> may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention. The program/utility <b>40</b>, having a set (at least one) of program modules <b>42</b>, may be stored in memory <b>28</b> by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules <b>42</b> generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

The computer system/server <b>12</b> may also communicate with one or more external devices <b>14</b> such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display <b>24</b>, etc., one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server <b>12</b>, and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server <b>12</b> to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces <b>22</b>. Still yet, computer system/server <b>12</b> can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter <b>20</b>. As depicted, network adapter <b>20</b> communicates with the other components of computer system/server <b>12</b> via bus <b>18</b>. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with the computer system/server <b>12</b>. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.